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Topic: portable generator (Read 160002 times)

Quinn Bean

I am RVer and I have a portable generator Generac 5000exl. I get so tired of these other RVers bragging about their Honda and Yamahi generators. And that there is no hope for me to quiet mine down enough that I would be allowed in the Camp ground. I sure would like to prove them all wrong. And then splash all the RV forums with my solution. This sure would put an end to all that crap they hand out. I want and enclosurer that is light and portable, that needs ventlation. I have seen your box but the demension look like they would be way too large to handle. Looking forward to quieting their (other RVers) noise.

boborther

The box or enclosure can be constructed of lightweight materials such as aluminum or a heat resistant plastic material. You would line the inside of the enclosure with a closed cell vinyl nitrile foam mat. Quinn, you will need to duct in ventilation into the enclosure, and also be able to duct the exhaust away from the camp site.

Quinn, this will take a small degree of set up, but when you are done, you can put the Honda and the Yamaha campers to shame. It can be done , believe me.

Another method is the little box inside of the big box method which might alleviate you from having to do the ducting of the ventilation or the exhaust if it is done properly.

This method would consist of 2 boxes one large than the other, you would cut out one side of each box and place th smaller box over top of the generator, and then slip the the large box with the same open end directly over top of the smalled box. You would line both box interiors with the closed cell foam. This method allows exhaust removal as well as ventilation into the generator.The box diagram and muffler is at [url]http://soundproofing.org/infopages/generator.htm

Quinn, I sure hope this gives you a solid plan for quieting your outdoor generator. Thanks for the post.

kurt a schmidt

i went to pep boys and picked up a car muffler that was compact enough to fit inside the generators frame,then i welded one end shut and drilled a hole in the side of the closed end and welded a pipe nipple(3/4npt)and welded a small flange that screwed to the generators exhaust port,the noise reduction was amazing!

DonB

For a generator in an enclosure it's a simple matter to route your exhaust to the outside. If you wrap your exhaust components with 2000° F. header tape, you will preserve the highest egt within the system enabling safe use of quieter and more restrictive exhaust components. This makes the addition of virtually unlimited lengths of tubing a non-issue. Insulating the exhaust greatly increases the velocity of the gas which reduces back pressure. This not only enables you to use the quietest of components without performance penalty or danger to the engine, it greatly reduces the ambient temperature and radiant heat within your enclosure. The wrap itself serves to further reduce noise. This simple modification makes the entire installation safer, more efficient and enhances longevity of the equipment.

jpearcy

Wouldn't that add to backpressure to the engine? I know with vehicle engines that changing the muffler significantly can change the backpressure to the engine and creat a problem, but I don't understand it well enough to say how and why it causes a problem or how to correct it.

DonB

Insulating the exhaust preserves the heat of the gasses which greatly increases velocity. The increased velocity reduces back pressure. This compensates for the addition of more restrictive components.

Ric B

What muffler did you get at PepBoys? Cost? Do you have any pics you'd care to post. I would love to keep the $800 Generac 4000XL that I bought which has great features, is HIGH quality, but is LOUD! If it doesn't work, I will buy a ELM-3000 or ELM-3600SS and do the same thing to it, since it will start out more quietly to begin with.

DonB

I also have a Generac 4000XL I bought in 1995 for around $800. Indeed, it is a very high quality unit. After all these years, I finally has to change the voltage regulator.

It's not very loud at all. In fact, it's a whisper when compared to the 15 KW diesel genset I recently installed. I've been running this Generac on the front porch due to lack of a better protected place while running the wiring around the corner to the main panel. As long as we keep that front window closed, it has never bothered us. Is your muffler still okay?